7 Excellent Spots For The Best Spring Skiing in North America

March 1, 2019

With the arrival of warmer temperatures and a more laid-back atmosphere, spring skiing is a magical experience: costumed characters barreling down the slopes, sundeck moments toasting the fun at all-day après, and savoring that seasonal favorite of conditions, corn.

Whether you’re looking for family fun during a spring break with the kids or a spirited getaway with friends, here are seven spots in North America for the best spring skiing that deliver an experience to remember.

1. Best for Families: Park City Mountain, Utah

An easy drive from Salt Lake International Airport, Park City is a delightful resort that provides plenty of on- and off-slope fun for everyone in the family. Beginners and accomplished powder junkies will find options galore on the 7,300 skiable acres of terrain. Meanwhile, daycare and private and group lessons tiered to age and abilities (and starting at a wee three years old) help little ones and older kids build the confidence to develop skills, while giving mom and dad some time of their own on the slopes. When the lifts close, the village’s cozy restaurants keep the smiles going.

2. Best for Foodies: Vail, Colorado

The magic doesn’t just happen on the slopes in this culinary savvy ski town: It’s also found in the 100-plus restaurants spanning all types of genres, from barbeque joints to international fusion. Longtime favorites like Sweet Basil are must-do spots, while newcomers including the Craftsman and Matsuhisa have kept up the city’s food scene on-trend and always relevant. For an even deeper dive into the town’s culinary roots, check out the annual Taste of Vail festival.

3. Best for Nightlife: Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia, Canada

Whistler Blackcomb is one of the world’s top resorts, as well as the largest in North America. But aside from its magnificent slopes, the village packs a punch when it comes to après-ski and nightlife. Its pedestrian-only alpine village is perfect for bar-hopping between classic watering holes like Merlin’s Bar and Grill, Garibaldi Lift Co. (known among locals as GLC), and Dubh Linn Gate Irish Pub, to the late-night club scene found at Maxx Fish, Tommy Africa’s, and in the underground at Garfunkel’s. And the Whistler World Ski & Snowboard Festival, which is scheduled from April 10 to 15 in 2018, all but guarantees as hard a party off the slopes as on.

4. Best for Breweries: Mount Bachelor, Oregon

This mighty peak and resort stands as a defining stratovolcano in the middle of Oregon, with a ton of fun skiable terrain and gorgeous views. And—a big plus for beer connoisseurs craving world-class pints for après refreshment—it’s a short drive from the brew mecca of Bend and its 19 breweries. From the iconic Deschutes Brewery to the hoppy creations of Boneyard Brewery, there’s something for everyone in this buzzy scene. Most breweries are open for tours, but Bend’s ale trail tours offer self-guided exploration of brewery stops—a justifiable reason for missing first chair the next day.

5. Best for Park Riding: Mammoth Mountain, California

The Eastern Sierra Mountains in the spring are a delightful mix of snow, sun, and, at this SoCal favorite, an enticing array of terrain park features. The Unbound Terrain Parks of Mammoth have been built up on a ton of creativity and innovation that help to make them one of the best spots for terrain parks on the continent. Five parks, a 22-foot superpipe, and multiple jib and jump lines ensure you’ll discover something exciting to spice up your ski or snowboard chops. And you’ll have plenty of time to savor all this action, since Mammoth’s season stretches as far into the year as June.

6. Best for Hardcore Types: Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Wyoming

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is infamous for Corbet’s Couloir—a double black diamond, 40-degree pitch that can be entered through tantalizing big air drops or through a steep, narrow slot. But if Corbet’s is a tad too ambitious, there are numerous other ways to test your mettle on the 54 black diamond runs and 21 double blacks that comprise about 50 percent of the resort’s terrain. From the Aerial Tram, you can witness many of these expert lines, from the couloirs off of Headwall to the classic side country off of Cody Peak.

7. Best for a Great Local Vibe: Arapahoe Basin, Colorado

Known as A-Basin among locals, this Rocky Mountain resort has some of the highest-elevation skiing in North America at 13,050 feet, as well as one of the longest seasons, from October through June. But beyond that, Arapahoe Basin has earned fame for its memorable tailgate experience. From March until closing day, the parking spots that line the resort transform into spirited shindigs, with resort goers sporting funky gear, onesies, and sometimes no shirts at all. BBQ’s, music, and ski-in ski-out service mean prime time for socializing and fun, both before and after hitting the slopes.

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